Joint subscriber management system and receiving terminal

ABSTRACT

A joint subscriber management system includes a joint subscriber management unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registration activity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or an electronic commerce transaction. A reception unit receives a reception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving a specific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least one broadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant information concerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limiting identification number. A generation unit generates a joint management identification number corresponding to the received reception-limiting identification number. A recording unit records the reception-limiting identification number, the joint management identification number, and the registrant information in a registrant information table in correspondence with one another. A management/operation unit acts as a surrogate in member management and the electronic commerce transaction in accordance with the registrant information table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to joint subscriber management systems andto receiving terminals, and more particularly relates to a jointsubscriber management system for making viewing/listening contracts(hereinafter referred to as “subscriptions”) and membershipregistrations with a plurality of broadcasters and service providers andfor managing members and operating electronic commerce (hereinafterreferred to as “e-commerce”) transactions in accordance with registeredinformation, and to a receiving terminal

2. Description of the Related Art

In known digital broadcasting using a conditional access system (CAS),user-interactive data broadcasts have been delivered. For example,listeners/viewers can perform e-commerce transactions(television-commerce or t-commerce), purchase items (television shoppingor t-shopping), and participate in quiz shows in real time.

In such digital broadcasting, for example, in broadcasting satellite(BS) digital broadcasting, a BS broadcasting receiver including a BSdigital tuner and an antenna is installed. Free-of-charge programs canbe received to immediately after the receiver has been installed.Interactive data broadcasts can be received by a user by makingsubscriptions and membership contracts with individual broadcasters andservice providers.

For example, if a user wants to subscribe to WOW Inc. and Star Channel,Inc., the user individually subscribes to these broadcasters. If a userwants to subscribe to BS Fuji, Inc., BS-i, Inc., and Asahi SatelliteBroadcasting Limited (BS Asahi), the user makes a joint (common)subscription membership registration with the three broadcasters. If auser wants to subscribe to BS Nippon Corporation (BS Nippon) and B.S.Japan Corporation (BS Japan), the user makes a joint (common)subscription membership registration with the two broadcasters.

Subscriptions are made with broadcasters in substantially the samemanner. A smart card, which is referred to as a “B-CAS card”, suppliedwith a purchased digital tuner is used for viewing and listening todigital broadcasts. The user fills out an application form or anapplication card by writing a card number indicated on the smart card(the card number may be printed in advance on a card or a seal) andregistrant information, such as the user's address, name, date of birth,age, sex, phone number, fax number, e-mail address, the method ofpayment (account transfer or credit card) for t-commerce and t-shopping,and an account number or a credit card number used to make payments, andthe user sends the application form or the application card by mail orfax. Alternatively, the user may use a predetermined web site or aregistration application data broadcast (and content thereof) deliveredby each broadcaster to enter the registrant information, thereby makinga contract (registration).

Cases in which the user registers for subscription on a registrationservice channel will be described. For example, FIG. 12 shows aregistration screen for BS Fuji on which the user is asked to enterhis/her “last name”. FIG. 13 shows two registration screens for BS-i. Onone screen, the user is asked to enter his/her “name (first name andlast name)” in one entry space. On the other screen, the user is askedto enter his/her “last name” and “first name” in two separate entryspaces on the same screen. The user enters his/her first name and lastname by selecting alphanumeric buttons displayed on the screen by usingoperation buttons on a remote control. The user presses “Confirm” toproceed to the next entry space or screen. In accordance with thescreen, the user enters predetermined items.

When a plurality of members, such as family members, makes a contract,as in a registration screen displayed in FIG. 14 (BS Asahi and Digicas),the user selects a family information registration screen and enterspredetermined items, such as postal code, address, and phone number.FIGS. 15 to 17 show registration screens for MediArk. The registrationscreen shown in FIG. 15 displays a menu containing a new registrationoption, a subsequent registration option, and an inquiry/change option.When making a new registration, the user enters a personal number andenters the representative's name, postal code, address, phone number,and fax number. Subsequently, the user enters a second subscriber, andso forth. For each desired broadcaster (service channel), the user mustenter and register predetermined registrant information in order to viewand listen to broadcast programs.

If the user wants to subscribe to a plurality of or all of broadcastersand provided services, the user must repeatedly enter similar registrantinformation for each broadcaster and for each service provider. Thisregistration procedure is burdensome for the user.

For example, when the user registers for subscription on a registrationservice channel, the user enters alphabet and numeral charactersdisplayed on the screen by pressing the operation buttons on the remotecontrol, presses “Confirm” to proceed to the next screen, andsequentially enters predetermined information. Although information toenter is substantially the same among broadcasters and only the sequenceof registration and the screens are different from broadcaster tobroadcaster, the user must repeatedly perform similar operations foreach desired broadcaster to which the user wants to subscribe(register). The user may run short of ID number seals, which arerequired for registration, when registering for subscription to all thebroadcasters by application form or cards.

Since broadcasters and service providers for providing broadcastprograms are required to individually construct, manage, and operatesystems for managing registrant information, the broadcasters and theservice providers are forced to bear high cost and themanagement/operation burden.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to lessen theburden of making subscriptions and contracting/registering registrantinformation with broadcasters and service providers and to reduce theburden of operating/managing subscription information and the registrantinformation.

In order to achieve the foregoing objects, a joint subscriber managementsystem and a receiving terminal according to the present invention arearranged as below.

(1) A joint subscriber management system includes a joint subscribermanagement unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registrationactivity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or inperforming an electronic commerce transaction. The joint subscribermanagement unit includes a reception unit for receiving areception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving aspecific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least onebroadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant informationconcerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limitingidentification number; a generation unit for generating a jointmanagement identification number corresponding to the reception-limitingidentification number received by the reception unit; a recording unitfor recording the reception-limiting identification number, the jointmanagement identification number, and the registrant information in aregistrant information table in correspondence with one another; and amanagement/operation unit for acting as a surrogate in performing membermanagement and the electronic commerce transaction in accordance withthe recorded registrant information table.

(2) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), thereceiver may include a reception-limiting-identification-numbertransmitting unit for transmitting the reception-limiting identificationnumber included in the receiver to the joint subscriber management unit;a reception unit for receiving the registrant information correspondingto the reception-limiting identification number and the joint managementidentification number, the registrant information being transmitted fromthe joint subscriber management unit; and a storage unit for storing thereceived registrant information.

(3) In a joint subscriber management system according to (2), the jointsubscriber management unit may further include a detection unit fordetecting updated information of the registrant information; anauthentication unit for performing, when the updated information isdetected by the detection unit, authentication by comparing thereception-limiting identification number included in the receiver withthe receiver's reception-limiting identification number in theregistrant information table registered in the joint subscribermanagement unit; a processing unit for receiving the registrantinformation stored in the receiver when it is confirmed that the tworeception-limiting identification numbers coincide with each other, andfor processing a processing signal transmitted from the receiver whenthe registrant information stored in the registrant information tablecoincides with the registrant information received from the receiver;and a payment transaction unit for performing a payment transactioninvolved in the processing performed by the processing unit.

(4) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), the jointsubscriber management unit may further include a unit for receiving theregistrant information including a plurality of registration itemstransmitted from the receiver; a registration unit for registering thereceived registrant information; and a registration-item transmittingunit for selecting a necessary registration item from the registrantinformation in accordance with a signal transmitted from each of thebroadcasters and for transmitting the selected registration item to thebroadcaster.

(5) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), when thejoint subscriber management unit receives an unregisteredreception-limiting identification number from the receiver, the jointsubscriber management unit may transmit a registration information menupage including a plurality of new registration items to the receiver.The joint subscriber management unit may receive the registrantinformation set by inputting data by the receiver in accordance with themenu. The joint subscriber management unit may register the registrantinformation so as to correspond to the reception-limiting identificationnumber in accordance with the received registrant information. The jointsubscriber management unit may generate the joint managementidentification number when the registrant information is registered.

(6) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), thebroadcaster identification number may include a number of a broadcasterfor delivering an interactive broadcast.

(7) In a joint subscriber management system according to (6), theinteractive broadcast may include a digital broadcast delivered by usingat least one of a satellite, terrestrial waves, a wired network, and awireless network.

(8) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), thebroadcaster identification number may include a number of a serviceprovider for providing a membership service.

(9) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), theregistrant information may include information including personalinformation required to perform television commerce, television trading,and television banking.

(10) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), the jointmanagement identification number may be substituted for by thereception-limiting identification number.

(11) In a joint subscriber management system according (1), theelectronic commerce transaction may include authentication and a paymenttransaction.

(12) In a joint subscriber management system according to (1), themanagement/operation unit may include functions for performingauthentication, matching, a payment transaction, alteration of contract,and updating.

(13) A receiving terminal is in a joint subscriber management systemincluding a joint subscriber management unit for acting as a surrogatein performing a registration activity for enabling a receiver to receivea broadcast and/or in performing an electronic commerce transaction. Thejoint subscriber management unit includes a reception unit for receivinga reception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receivinga specific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at leastone broadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrantinformation concerning registration of a user allocated to thereception-limiting identification number; a generation unit forgenerating a joint management identification number corresponding to thereception-limiting identification number received by the reception unit;a recording unit for recording the reception-limiting identificationnumber, the joint management identification number, and the registrantinformation in a registrant information table in correspondence with oneanother; and a management/operation unit for acting as a surrogate inperforming member management and the electronic commerce transaction inaccordance with the recorded registrant information table. The receivingterminal includes a reception-limiting-identification-numbertransmitting unit for transmitting the reception-limiting identificationnumber of the receiver to the joint subscriber management unit; and astorage unit for storing the registrant information. The registrantinformation includes the reception-limiting identification number andthe joint management identification number, the joint managementidentification number being generated in correspondence with informationon a user owning the receiver and the reception-limiting identificationnumber. The registrant information is transmitted to the receiver onlywhen the reception-limiting identification number received by the jointsubscriber management unit can be recognized from the registrantinformation table.

(14) In a receiving terminal according to (13), the registrantinformation may be extracted and/or edited by the reception-limitingidentification number and the joint management identification number.

(15) In a receiving terminal according to (13), the joint subscribermanagement unit may further include a detection unit for detectingupdated information of the registrant information; an authenticationunit for performing, when the updated information is detected by thedetection unit, authentication by comparing the reception-limitingidentification number in the registrant information stored in thestorage unit of the receiver with the receiver's reception-limitingidentification number in the registrant information table registered inthe joint subscriber management unit; and a processing andpayment-transaction unit for receiving the registrant information storedin the receiver when it is confirmed that the two reception-limitingidentification numbers coincide with each other, and for processing aprocessing signal transmitted from the receiver and performing a paymenttransaction involved in the processing when the registrant informationstored in the registrant information table coincides with the registrantinformation received from the receiver.

(16) In a receiving terminal according to (13), the joint subscribermanagement unit may further include a unit for receiving the registrantinformation including a plurality of registration items transmitted fromthe receiver; a registration unit for registering the receivedregistrant information; and a registration-item transmitting unit forselecting a necessary registration item from the registrant informationin accordance with a signal transmitted from each of the broadcastersand for transmitting the selected registration item to the broadcaster.

(17) In a receiving terminal according to (13), when the jointsubscriber management unit receives an unregistered reception-limitingidentification number from the receiver, the joint subscriber managementunit may transmit a registration information menu page including aplurality of new registration items to the receiver. The jointsubscriber management unit may receive the registrant information set byinputting data by the receiver in accordance with the menu. The jointsubscriber management unit may register the registrant information so asto correspond to the reception-limiting identification number inaccordance with the received registrant information. The jointsubscriber management unit may generate the joint managementidentification number when the registrant information is registered.

(18) A joint subscriber management system includes a joint subscribermanagement unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registrationactivity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or inperforming an electronic commerce transaction. The joint subscribermanagement unit includes a reception unit for receiving areception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving aspecific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least onebroadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant informationconcerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limitingidentification number; a generation unit for generating a jointmanagement identification number corresponding to the reception-limitingidentification number received by the reception unit; a recording unitfor recording the reception-limiting identification number, the jointmanagement identification number, and the registrant information in aregistrant information table in correspondence with one another; amanagement/operation unit for acting as a surrogate in performing membermanagement and the electronic commerce transaction in accordance withthe recorded registrant information table; and a program for causing thejoint subscriber management unit to function as a unit for receiving thereception-limiting identification number, the joint managementidentification number, and transaction information on the user havingthese identification numbers; a processing unit for processing aprocessing signal transmitted from the receiver when the identificationnumber in the registrant information table coincides with the receivedreception-limiting identification number and/or the joint managementidentification number; and a payment transaction unit for performing apayment transaction involved in the processing performed by theprocessing unit.

(19) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), thereceiver may include a reception-limiting-identification-numbertransmitting unit for transmitting the reception-limiting identificationnumber of the receiver to the joint subscriber management unit; areception unit for receiving the registrant information corresponding tothe reception-limiting identification number and the joint managementidentification number, the registrant information being transmitted fromthe joint subscriber management unit; and a storage unit for storing thereceived registrant information.

(20) In a joint subscriber management system according to (19), thejoint subscriber management unit may further include a program forcausing the joint subscriber management unit to function as a detectionunit for detecting updated information of the registrant information; anauthentication unit for performing, when the updated information isdetected by the detection unit, authentication by comparing thereception-limiting identification number in the registrant informationstored in the storage unit of the receiver with the receiver'sreception-limiting identification number in the registrant informationtable registered in the joint subscriber management unit; a processingand payment-transaction unit for receiving the registrant informationstored in the receiver when it is confirmed that the tworeception-limiting identification numbers coincide with each other, andfor processing a processing signal transmitted from the receiver andperforming a payment transaction involved in the processing when theregistrant information stored in the registrant information tablecoincides with the registrant information received from the receiver.

(21) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), thejoint subscriber management unit further includes a program for causingthe joint subscriber management unit to function as a unit for receivingthe registrant information including a plurality of registration itemstransmitted from the receiver; a registration unit for registering thereceived registrant information; and a registration-item transmittingunit for selecting a necessary registration item from the registrantinformation in accordance with a signal transmitted from each of thebroadcasters and for transmitting the selected registration item to thebroadcaster.

(22) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), thejoint subscriber management unit may further include a program forcausing the joint subscriber management unit to perform functions fortransmitting a registration information menu page including a pluralityof new registration items to the receiver when the joint subscribermanagement unit receives an unregistered reception-limitingidentification number from the receiver; receiving the registrantinformation set by inputting data by the receiver in accordance with themenu; registering the registrant information so as to correspond to thereception-limiting identification number in accordance with the receivedregistrant information; and generating the joint managementidentification number when the registrant information is registered.

(23) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), thebroadcaster identification number may include a number of a broadcasterfor delivering an interactive broadcast.

(24) In a joint subscriber management system according to (23), theinteractive broadcast may include a digital broadcast delivered by usingat least one of a satellite, terrestrial waves, a wired network, and awireless network.

(25) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), thebroadcaster identification number may include a number of a serviceprovider for providing a membership service.

(26) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), theregistrant information may include information including personalinformation required to perform television commerce, television trading,and television banking.

(27) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), thejoint management identification number may be substituted for by thereception-limiting identification number.

(28) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), theelectronic commerce transaction may include authentication and a paymenttransaction.

(29) In a joint subscriber management system according to (18), whereinthe management/operation unit may include functions for performingauthentication, matching, a payment transaction, alteration of contract,and updating.

According to a joint subscriber management system and a receivingterminal, subscriptions and membership registrations with a plurality ofbroadcasters and service providers can be performed in the block. It isthus possible to reduce the user's burden of making registrations. Sincethe broadcasters and the service providers can use a single managementsystem, capital investment can be reduced. Because systems formanaging/operating contract information and member information areunified, information from a single database is used as registrantinformation and an ID number for use in performing authentication andpayment transactions in e-commerce by data broadcasts. Thus, theprocessing reliability is improved. Since a joint managementidentification number is created and managed/operated in accordance withthe ID number, it is possible to connect to another system, such as aknown broadcasting system. In addition, a notice, such as a bill, can besent by e-mail over a network. Accordingly, postage and packing becomeunnecessary, thereby reducing a charge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the configuration of a joint subscribermanagement system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a receivingterminal according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a flow from application to registrationby the joint subscriber management system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a registration application form(postcard) in the joint subscriber management system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an initial registration screen by thejoint subscriber management system according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a registration screen for registeringregistrant information by the joint subscriber management systemaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate examples of registration screens provided bythe joint subscriber management system according to the presentinvention for broadcasters and service providers;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a registration process performed by thejoint subscriber management system according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a registrant information entering processin the registration process performed by the joint subscriber managementsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a registration process of registering tobroadcasters and service providers in the joint subscriber managementsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of performing an e-commercetransaction by a data broadcast in the joint subscriber managementsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a known registration applicationscreen;

FIG. 13 illustrates examples of known registration application screens;

FIG. 14 illustrates examples of known registration application screens;

FIG. 15 illustrates examples of known registration application screens;

FIG. 16 illustrates examples of known registration application screens;and

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a known registration applicationscreen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of a joint subscriber management system and areceiving terminal according to the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a joint subscriber management system includes abroadcasting system 100 for delivering broadcast programs; a jointmanagement system 200 for registering/managing subscriptions tobroadcasters and service providers and registrant information; areceiving system 300 for making subscriptions and for viewing andlistening to broadcast programs; a payment transaction system 400 forperforming various payment transactions by data broadcasts; andinformation terminals 600 for making subscriptions to the broadcastersand the service providers and for registering registrant information.

The broadcasting system 100 contains broadcasters (including station A,station B, and station C in FIG. 1) 110; transmitting systems 111,corresponding to the broadcasters 110, for transmitting broadcastprograms including data broadcasts; an uplink system 112 for uplinkingdigital broadcast signals (broadcast programs) from the transmittingsystems 111 of the broadcasters 110 to a satellite 150; and atransmission antenna 120. The satellite 150 relays and transmits theuplinked digital broadcast signals from the transmission antenna 120 ofthe broadcasting system 100 to a receiver 310. Digital broadcaststransmitted and received by the broadcasting system 100 and thereceiving system 300 are not limited to broadcasts via the satellite 150and may include terrestrial broadcasts and broadcasts delivered by wiredand wireless networks.

The joint management system 200 contains a broadcasting conditionalaccess system (BCAS) 210 which is connected to the broadcasting system100 and to the receiving system 300 and which issues and manages uniqueidentification (ID) information recorded in a smart card (B-CAS card)320 to be inserted into the receiver 310 of the receiving system 300; aconditional access subscriber management system (CA SMS) 220 which isconnected to a gateway 230, the BCAS 210, and a CA member database (DB)221, which manages the ID number and subscription information sent fromthe receiving system 300, and which transmits the information to thebroadcasting system 100; the CA member DB 221, which records and storesthe ID number and the subscription information sent from the receiver310 through the gateway 230 and the CA SMS 220; the gateway 230, whichis connected to a network 500, the CA SMS 220, a joint SMS 240, and thebroadcasting system 100, and which acts as an intermediary forexchanging the ID number, the subscription information, registrantinformation, and a joint management identification number; the joint SMS240, which provides a registration web site (content) for registeringthe ID number, the subscription information, and the registrantinformation, which transmits the ID number, the subscriptioninformation, and the registrant information transmitted by the receiver310, the information terminals 600 including a personal computer (PC)351, a facsimile machine (FAX) 620, and a cellular phone 630, or by mailto the CA SMS 220 and a joint member DB 241, which generates the IDnumber and the joint management identification number corresponding tothe ID number, and which manages the registrant information and performsauthentication, matching, and payment transactions in e-commerce inaccordance with the joint management number; and the joint member DB 241for recording and storing the registrant information transmitted throughthe joint SMS 240.

The joint management system 200 can use the ID number, instead of thejoint management identification number, to manage the registrantinformation. Registration content to be provided includes content onwhich the ID number and a plurality of pieces of registrant informationcan be selected and registered in the block or individually. Informationincluding the ID number, the joint management identification number, thesubscription information, the registrant information, and a function(program) of the joint management system 200 can be recorded in arecording medium 250, and the recorded information and program can beused by the broadcasting system 100 of each broadcaster.

The receiving system 300 contains an antenna 301 for receiving broadcastsignals (radio waves) from the satellite 150; the receiver 310, which isan integrated receiver decoder (IRD), which is connected to the antenna301 and a monitor 305, and which has a receiving function and acommunication function; and the monitor 305 for displaying video/audiodata read by the receiver 310. The receiving function of the receiver310 is performed by inserting the smart card (B-CAS card) 320, which hasthe ID number for receiving broadcasts, into the receiver 310. As aresult, the receiver 310 can receive digital broadcast signals, whichare received by the antenna 301. The receiver 310 can read the receiveddigital signals and can transmit video/audio data to the monitor 305.The communication function of the receiver 310 includes connecting tothe network 500, such as a telephone line, and transmitting andreceiving the ID number, the subscription information, and theregistrant information. The smart card 320 has recorded therein theunique ID number, which is a reception-limiting identification numberfor receiving a desired broadcast, and key information for descramblingscrambled pay-broadcasts. The smart card 320 can be inserted into thereceiver 310, thus enabling the receiver 310 to receive a broadcast.

The receiver 310 is arranged, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. Thereceiver 310 is connected to the antenna 301. The smart card (B-CAScard) 320 has recorded therein the unique ID number information and thekey information for descrambling. A smart card slot 321 is connected toa system bus 350. The smart card 320 is inserted into the smart cardslot 321 so that the ID number, which is recorded in the smart card 320,can be loaded into the receiver 310. A remote control 330 is used foroperating the receiver 310. An input/output (I/O) unit 331 receivesoperation signals from the remote control 330 and loads the signalsthrough the system bus 350 into the receiver 310. Digital broadcastsignals received from the broadcasting system 100 are input to anantenna input terminal 340. A tuner 341 selects desired broadcastprogram signals from among the received digital broadcast signals. Ademodulator 342 performs TS (transport stream) conversion of the digitalbroadcast signals selected by the tuner 341. A descrambler 343descrambles the scrambled TS, which has been demodulated by thedemodulator 342. A TS decoder 344 divides the descrambled TS, which hasbeen descrambled by the descrambler 343, into an audio stream, a videostream, and data. An audio decoder 345 and a video decoder 346 processthe audio and video streams, respectively, which have been generated bythe TS decoder 344, and converts the streams into audio and videosignals, respectively. When a data broadcast is received, a presentationprocessor 347 superposes data including moving image data, still imagedata, and graphic image data which are temporarily stored in a RAM 362and an NVRAM (non-volatile RAM) 360 and various data includingpre-recorded fonts in a ROM 361 onto the audio and video signals andpresents the signals. An audio output terminal 348 and a video outputterminal 349 output the audio and video signals from the audio decoder345, the video decoder 346, and the presentation processor 347 to themonitor 305 and the like. The system bus 350 is connected directly orindirectly with components in the receiver 310. The system bus 350 is acommunication channel for exchanging control information and variousdata. The NVRAM 360 is connected to the system bus 350. The NVRAM 360 isa non-volatile memory for recording and storing registrant informationand multimedia content data for each broadcaster and each serviceprovider. The ROM 361 is connected to the system bus 350. The ROM 361 isa memory having stored beforehand, for example, font information forcharacter data included in data broadcasts. The RAM 362 is connected tothe system bus 350. The RAM 362 is a buffer for transferring multimediacontent data transmitted by a data carousel and file-formatted audiocontent to the audio decoder 345 and the video decoder 346. A CPU 370controls the components in the receiver 310 through the system bus 350.A communication unit (modem) 380 connects to the network 500, such as atelephone line, and exchanges data concerning the registrant informationand the subscription information through the system bus 350.

The payment transaction system 400 is a system including a bank 410 anda securities company 420. The payment transaction system 400 isconnected to the user's receiving system 300, the information terminals600, and the joint management system 200 via the network 500. When ane-commerce transaction including t-commerce, t-banking, and t-trading byusing a data broadcast is performed, the payment transaction system 400performs payment transaction processing in accordance with apredetermined payment transaction method based on the ID number and thesubscription information under the management of the CA SMS 220 of thejoint management system 200 and the registrant information in the jointmember DB 241.

The information terminals 600 include the PC 610, the FAX 620, and thecellular phone 630. The information terminals 600 are connected to thejoint management system 200 via the network 500 to make subscriptionsand to register registrant information.

With reference to the drawings, a case in which the user registers forsubscription and membership by using the joint subscriber managementsystem, which includes the broadcasting system 100, the joint managementsystem 200, the receiving system 300, the payment transaction system400, and the information terminals 600, will now be described.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a flow from submitting a subscriptionapplication or a membership registration application to beingregistered. When a user submits a subscription application, the userfills out an application form/postcard 640, which is supplied with thepurchased receiver 310, by writing predetermined items and sends theapplication form/postcard 640 by mail or by the FAX 620. An operator ata predetermined registration center receivers the applicationform/postcard 640 by mail or by FAX, inputs written registrantinformation to a registration terminal, and sends the registrantinformation to the joint management system 200. The registrantinformation is recorded and stored in the CA member DB 221 and the jointmember DB 241.

Referring to FIG. 4, the application form/postcard 640 contains a spacefor writing the ID number of the smart card (B-CAS card) 320 or puttinga subscription barcode seal; check boxes which represent broadcastersand service providers and which are to be checked if the user wants tosubscribe to; spaces for writing registrant information includingpersonal information on the user and service sharers, such as the user'sfamily members, including the addresses, names, and contact persons; anda space (not shown) for selecting the method of payment by writing anaccount number or a credit card number. The user checks a desiredbox(es) of the boxes representing the broadcasters and the serviceproviders, writes the predetermined items, such as the registrantinformation, and sends the application form/postcard 640 by mail or bythe FAX 620.

Alternatively, the user connects to the network 500, such as theInternet, from the information terminal 600, such as the PC 610, the FAX620, or the cellular phone 630, and accesses a registration web site runby the joint management system 200 (or the joint SMS 240 thereof).Alternatively, the user can receive a registration channel by thereceiver 310 and can perform registration. In this case, the user inputsthe registrant information by using the remote control 330 in accordancewith the displayed registration web site or the registration channel.The information terminal 600 or the communication unit 380 of thereceiver 310 transmits the subscription information and the registrantinformation to the joint management system 200 through the network 500,such as a telephone line. The transmitted information is recorded andstored in the CA member DB 221 and the joint member DB 241.

When the user accesses the web site or receives the registrationchannel, for example, a start registration screen (interactivemembership contract screen), such as that shown in FIG. 5, is displayed.The screen displays a reminder to confirm the contract by displaying anotice (“First read this information”) and a description of the flow ofcontract. The user confirms the contents of the contract by operatingthe remote control 330 and starts a registration process (to start thecontract).

When the registration process starts, for example, an entry screen(content) shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. The entry screen contains aspace for writing the ID number of the smart card (B-CAS card) 320;check boxes which represent broadcasters and service providers and whichare to be checked if the user wants to subscribe to; and check boxes forwriting registrant information including the user's and the servicesharers' (such as the user's family members') addresses, names, contactpersons, etc. On this entry screen, a predetermined subscription, amembership registration, and registrant information can be registered inthe block.

In accordance with the screen display, the user operates the informationterminal 600 or the remote control 330 for the receiver 310 to select orcheck a desired broadcaster(s) and/or a service provider(s) and inputsregistrant information. Referring to FIGS. 7A o 7C, the terms andconditions of each of the selected broadcaster(s) and/or the serviceprovider(s) are displayed. When the user agrees to the displayed termsand conditions by checking the “Agree” box, the registration processingis performed.

When the user wants to use the payment transaction system 400 in orderto perform various payment transactions, such as t-commerce, t-trading,and t-banking, the user fills out a space (not shown) for selecting themethod of payment and inputting a necessary item, such as an accountnumber or a credit card number. As a result, the terms and conditions,similar to those displayed in FIG. 7C, are displayed, and the user isasked if the user agrees to the displayed terms and conditions. When theuser checks the “Agree” box, the registration processing is performed.If the user is performing this registration process after the user hasmade the subscription, the user can use the registrant information (seeFIG. 6), which is written in the registrant information space used inthe subscription process, to input information including the user'sname, address, phone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address on aregistration screen in FIG. 7A. Accordingly, the user is only requiredto fill out an unfilled space, such as a space for writing an accountnumber or a credit card number. Thus, the entry operation can befacilitated.

When the joint management system 200 receives the ID number, thesubscription information, and the registrant information from theinformation terminal 600 or the receiver 310 through the network 500 andthe gateway 230, the joint management system 200 records and stores thereceived information in the CA member DB 221 and the joint member DB241. Also, the joint management system 200 generates a joint managementidentification number corresponding to the ID number and manages theregistrant information and the like in accordance with the jointmanagement identification number. The joint management system 200transmits online necessary information, such as the ID number, the jointmanagement identification number, the subscription information, and theregistrant information, to the broadcasting system 100 and the paymenttransaction system 400, or records the necessary information in therecording medium 250, such as a CD-ROM, and sends the recording medium250 to the broadcasting system 100 and the payment transaction system400.

The broadcasting system 100 (or each of the transmitting systems 111thereof) inserts key data for performing descrambling based on the IDnumber into a digital broadcast signal and transmits the digitalbroadcast signal to the receiving system 300. The receiver 310 of thereceiving system 300 receives the digital broadcast signal from thebroadcasting system 200 and extracts the key data. Also, the receiver310 performs a registration process in accordance with a registrationscreen (content). The receiver 310 downloads the registrant information,which is recorded in the joint management system 200, through thegateway 230 and the network 500 and writes the downloaded information tothe NVRAM 360 in the receiver 310, thus completing the registration ofthe subscription and the registrant information. Subsequently, the useris permitted to validly view and listen to broadcast programs and to useprovided services.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a specific process from application toregistration will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the user wants to apply for subscription andregistration, the user receives a registration channel by the receiver310 or gains access to a predetermined registration web site. The jointmanagement system 200 transmits an initial menu screen (content) forregistration, and the menu screen is displayed by the receiving system300 (ST100 and ST110). The user reads the notice concerning theregistration and confirms the flow of contract. The user chooses whetheror not to apply for interim registration, that is, to record and storethe information in the CA member DB 221 and the joint member DB 241 ofthe joint management system 200 (ST120). If the user chooses to applyfor interim registration, the terms and conditions of the interimregistration are displayed on the screen (ST130). After the userconfirms the terms and conditions, the user checks the “Agree” box toagree to the terms and conditions, thereby starting an interimregistration process (ST140). If the user does not apply for interimregistration or if the user does not check the “Agree” box, the otherprocessing is performed.

When the interim registration process starts, an entry screen forentering registrant information required for registration is displayed(ST150). FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a registrant information enteringprocess. In accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, a jointregistration selection screen on which a desired broadcaster(s) and/orservice provider(s) is (are) selected from among available broadcastersand service providers is displayed, and the user selects a desiredbroadcaster(s) and/or service provider(s) by checking a box(es) (ST151).If the broadcaster(s) and/or the service provider(s) is (are) selected(ST152), the terms and conditions of each of the selected broadcaster(s)and/or the service provider(s) are displayed, and the user checks abox(es) to agree to the terms and conditions (ST153). When all the termsand conditions have been agreed to (ST154), the user inputs personalinformation, such as his/her address, name, contact person, etc., andthose of the service sharers (his/her family members), and the accountnumber and/or the credit card number required to use the bank 410 and/orthe securities company 420 when performing various payment transactions,such as t-commerce, t-trading, and t-banking (ST155). When nobroadcaster nor service provider is selected or when the user does notagree to the terms and conditions of the selected broadcaster(s) and/orthe service provider(s), the other processing is performed (ST152 andST154).

After the complete registrant information has been input, the inputregistrant information and the information on the selectedbroadcaster(s)/service provider(s) are displayed. The user is requestedto finally confirm whether or not to subscribe to the selectedbroadcaster(s)/service provider(s) (ST160). Also, the joint managementsystem 200 (the CA SMS 220 and the joint SMS 240) checks the validity ofthe input registrant information and the information on the selectedbroadcaster(s)/service provider(s) (ST170). If the validity is notconfirmed, an error message is transmitted to the receiving system 300(ST180). If the validity is confirmed, the ID number of the smart card320 inserted into the receiver 310 is obtained through the network 500(ST190). Also, the receiver 310 connects to the CA SMS 220 and the jointSMS 240 (ST200), and the ID number and the registrant information arerecorded/stored in the CA member DB 221 and the joint member DB 241,thus making interim registration (ST210). Subsequently, the receiver 310disconnects from the joint management system (ST220). After the interimregistration process is completed by the joint management system 200, amessage indicating the completion of the interim registration isdisplayed on the receiving system 300 at the user side (ST230). If theinterim registration is not normally completed, an error message isdisplayed. The registration process returns to the initial menu screenand starts the registration from the beginning (ST230→ST110).

With reference to FIG. 10, a process performed between the completion ofthe interim registration with the joint management system 200 (see FIGS.8 and 9) and a process for making formal registration (fullregistration) will be described.

When the interim registration is completed, formal registration is madeas follows. The user uses the receiving system 300 to select and receivea broadcast delivered by the broadcaster to which the user hasregistered for interim subscription, and a selection screen asking theuser whether or not to make formal (full) registration is displayed(ST500 and ST510). When the user uses the remote control 330 to send arequest for formal registration from the receiver 310 (ST520), aregistration menu screen (content) is displayed (ST530). It isdetermined whether or not the user has been already registered as aninterim member (ST540). If the determination is negative, for example,the process automatically switches to a registration broadcast channeland prompts the user to make interim registration (ST540).

If the user has been already registered as an interim member (ST540),the user confirms whether to register as a formal (full) member (ST550).If the user wants to register as a formal (full) member, thecommunication unit 380 of the receiver 310 automatically connects to thejoint management system 200 via the network 500, such as a telephoneline (ST560), and authentication is performed in accordance with the IDnumber of the smart card 320 inserted into the receiver 310. After theauthentication succeeded, predetermined registrant information includingthe joint management identification number and the information on theselected broadcaster(s)/service provider(s) is downloaded from the jointmanagement system 200 and temporarily stored in the RAM 362, and thedownloaded information is displayed on the monitor 305. The userconfirms the registrant information and the like displayed on themonitor 305 and writes the registrant information to the NVRAM 360 ofthe receiver 310 by operating the remote control 330 (ST570). Themonitor 305 displays whether the write processing succeeded or failed(ST580). If a write error occurs, the process returns to theregistration screen and starts a formal (full) registration process fromthe beginning. If the registrant information is successfully written tothe NVRAM 360, the formal (full) registration is completed.

When changing or updating the registrant information or the like afterthe user has been registered as a formal (full) member, the receiver 310extracts the registrant information and edits (changes/updates) theregistrant information. When the edited registrant information is sentto the joint management system 200, authentication is performed inaccordance with the joint management identification number. After theauthentication succeeded, the old registrant information recorded/storedin the CA member DB 221 and the joint member DB 241 is changed/updatedthrough the CA SMS 220 and the joint SMS 240, and the new registrantinformation, that is, the changed/updated registrant information, istransmitted to the receiver 310. The receiver 310 writes the transmittednew registrant information to the NVRAM 360. From this point onward, theuser can continuously receive a broadcast program and can use a providedservice.

With reference to FIG. 11, a process of performing e-commerce by databroadcasting will now be described.

A user receives a data broadcast for performing e-commerce, that is,t-commerce, t-banking, or t-trading. The user uses the remote control330 to select a desired item number and a correspondent bank/securitiescompany (ST300). The user performs predetermined input/confirmingoperations, such as confirming input information displayed on themonitor 305 (ST310). When the user enters a password for authentication(ST320), the receiver 310 connects to the joint management system 200via the network 500, such as a telephone line (ST330), and transmitsnecessary information, such as the input information, the passwordinformation, the ID number of the smart card 320, and the registrantinformation recorded in the NVRAM 360, from the communication unit 380(ST340). The joint management system 200 performs authentication inaccordance with the input information, the ID number, and the registrantinformation from the receiver 310. If the authentication failed, errorprocessing, such as transmission of an error message to the receiver310, is performed.

If the authentication succeeded, predetermined processing is performed.For example, the joint SMS 240 performs various transactions, such as apayment transaction. Also, the process connects to the predeterminedpayment transaction system 400 in accordance with the registrantinformation and transmits data required to perform authentication for apayment transaction and to perform a payment transaction (ST370). Theprocessing result is transmitted to the receiver 310 through the network500 (ST380). When the receiver 310 receives the processing result fromthe joint management system 200 (ST380), the receiver 310 disconnectsfrom the joint management system 200 (ST390), and the processing resultis displayed on the monitor 305 (ST400).

A specific example of a data broadcast using this type of e-commercewill now be described.

When the user is watching a broadcast television shopping program usingthe receiving system 300 and wants to purchase a desired item, the useruses the remote control 330 to select an item to purchase, enters anitem number and password, and confirms and agrees to the inputinformation on the monitor 305. Subsequently, the communication unit 380of the receiver 310 connects to the joint management system 200 throughthe network 500, such as a telephone line, and transmits the purchaseinformation, such as the item number, the password information, the IDnumber of the smart card 320, and the predetermined registrantinformation, which is recorded in the NVRAM 360 of the receiver 310 andwhich is required to use the broadcast program. The joint managementsystem 200 performs authentication in accordance with the inputinformation, the ID number, and the registrant information from thereceiver 310. If the authentication failed, error processing, such astransmission of an error message to the receiver 310, is performed.

If the authentication succeeded, the joint SMS 240 performspredetermined processing. For example, purchase-procedure completioninformation such as a purchase agreement message, account debit date,and shipping date is transmitted to the receiver 310 through the network500. The joint SMS 240 performs a payment transaction, notifies onlineor by a predetermined method the pre-registered payment transactionsystem 400, such as a bank or a securities company, and charges ahandling fee. Alternatively, a bill from a broadcaster, a serviceprovider, a bank, or a securities company can be sent by e-mail.

When the receiver 310 receives the purchase-procedure completioninformation from the joint management system 200, the receiver 310disconnects from the joint management system 200 and displays theinformation including the purchase agreement message, the account debitdate, and the shipping date on the monitor 305. The broadcast program isnot limited to television shopping. It is applicable to any type ofbroadcast as long as it uses a form of e-commerce, such as t-commerce,t-banking, and t-trading.

A case in which a user uses a participating-type data broadcast will nowbe described.

The user watches/listens to an interactively broadcast game program or aquiz/questionnaire broadcast program by the receiving system 300. Theuser can download content, such as a game, to the receiver 310 and canuse the downloaded content. The communication unit 380 of the receiver310 transmits the ID number of the smart card 320, predeterminedregistrant information, which is recorded in the NVRAM 360 and which isrequired to use the broadcast program, score information indicating theresult of the game, input data such as the answers to the quiz or thequestionnaire, to the joint management system 200 through the network500, such as a telephone line.

When the joint management system 200 receives the input data, the IDnumber, and the registrant information from the receiver 310, the jointmanagement system 200 performs authentication in accordance with the IDnumber and the registrant information. If the authentication failed,error processing, such as transmission of an error message to thereceiver 310, is performed. If the authentication succeeded, the jointSMS 240 processes the input data from the receiver and transmitsresponse data, such as a game score ranking and a compilation resultgenerated by compiling the answers to the quiz or the questionnaire, tothe receiver 310 through the gateway 230 and the network 500. Thereceiver 310 displays the response data, such as the ranking and thecompilation result, on the monitor 305. The joint management system 200can ship a prize to the user in accordance with the registrantinformation and response data, which is the processing result, or cansend a questionnaire by e-mail.

1. A joint subscriber management system comprising: a joint subscribermanagement unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registrationactivity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or inperforming an electronic commerce transaction, wherein the jointsubscriber management unit comprises: reception means for receiving areception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving aspecific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least onebroadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant informationconcerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limitingidentification number; generation means for generating a jointmanagement identification number corresponding to the reception-limitingidentification number received by the reception means; recording meansfor recording the reception-limiting identification number, the jointmanagement identification number, and the registrant information in aregistrant information table in correspondence with one another; andmanagement/operation means for acting as a surrogate in performingmember management and the electronic commerce transaction in accordancewith the recorded registrant information table.
 2. A joint subscribermanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises:reception-limiting-identification-number transmitting means fortransmitting the reception-limiting identification number included inthe receiver to the joint subscriber management unit; reception meansfor receiving the registrant information corresponding to thereception-limiting identification number and the joint managementidentification number, the registrant information being transmitted fromthe joint subscriber management unit; and storage means for storing thereceived registrant information.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A joint subscribermanagement system according to claim 1, wherein the joint subscribermanagement unit further comprises: means for receiving the registrantinformation including a plurality of registration items transmitted fromthe receiver; registration means for registering the received registrantinformation; and registration-item transmitting means for selecting anecessary registration item from the registrant information inaccordance with a signal transmitted from each of the broadcasters andfor transmitting the selected registration item to the broadcaster. 5.(canceled)
 6. A joint subscriber management system according to claim 1,wherein the broadcaster identification number comprises a number of abroadcaster for delivering an interactive broadcast.
 7. A jointsubscriber management system according to claim 6, wherein theinteractive broadcast comprises a digital broadcast delivered by usingat least one of a satellite, terrestrial waves, a wired network, and awireless network.
 8. A joint subscriber management system according toclaim 1, wherein the broadcaster identification number comprises anumber of a service provider for providing a membership service.
 9. Ajoint subscriber management system according to claim 1, wherein theregistrant information comprises information including personalinformation required to perform television commerce, television trading,and television banking.
 10. A joint subscriber management systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the joint management identification numbercan be substituted for by the reception-limiting identification number.11. A joint subscriber management system according to claim 1, whereinthe electronic commerce transaction comprises authentication and apayment transaction.
 12. A joint subscriber management system accordingto claim 1, wherein the management/operation means includes functionsfor performing authentication, matching, a payment transaction,alteration of contract, and updating.
 13. A receiving terminal in ajoint subscriber management system comprising a joint subscribermanagement unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registrationactivity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or inperforming an electronic commerce transaction, the joint subscribermanagement unit comprising: reception means for receiving areception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving aspecific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least onebroadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant informationconcerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limitingidentification number; generation means for generating a jointmanagement identification number corresponding to the reception-limitingidentification number received by the reception means; recording meansfor recording the reception-limiting identification number, the jointmanagement identification number, and the registrant information in aregistrant information table in correspondence with one another; andmanagement/operation means for acting as a surrogate in performingmember management and the electronic commerce transaction in accordancewith the recorded registrant information table, the receiving terminalcomprising: reception-limiting-identification-number transmitting meansfor transmitting the reception-limiting identification number of thereceiver to the joint subscriber management unit; and storage means forstoring the registrant information, wherein the registrant informationcomprises the reception-limiting identification number and the jointmanagement identification number, the joint management identificationnumber being generated in correspondence with information on a userowning the receiver and the reception-limiting identification number,and the registrant information is transmitted to the receiver only whenthe reception-limiting identification number received by the jointsubscriber management unit can be recognized from the registrantinformation table.
 14. A receiving terminal according to claim 13,wherein the registrant information can be extracted and/or edited by thereception-limiting identification number and the joint managementidentification number.
 15. (canceled)
 16. A receiving terminal accordingto claim 13, wherein the joint subscriber management unit furthercomprises: means for receiving the registrant information including aplurality of registration items transmitted from the receiver;registration means for registering the received registrant information;and registration-item transmitting means for selecting a necessaryregistration item from the registrant information in accordance with asignal transmitted from each of the broadcasters and for transmittingthe selected registration item to the broadcaster.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Ajoint subscriber management system comprising: a joint subscribermanagement unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registrationactivity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or inperforming an electronic commerce transaction, wherein the jointsubscriber management unit comprises: reception means for receiving areception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving aspecific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least onebroadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant informationconcerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limitingidentification number; generation means for generating a jointmanagement identification number corresponding to the reception-limitingidentification number received by the reception means; recording meansfor recording the reception-limiting identification number, the jointmanagement identification number, and the registrant information in aregistrant information table in correspondence with one another;management/operation means for acting as a surrogate in performingmember management and the electronic commerce transaction in accordancewith the recorded registrant information table; and a program forcausing the joint subscriber management unit to function as: means forreceiving the reception-limiting identification number, the jointmanagement identification number, and transaction information on theuser having these identification numbers; processing means forprocessing a processing signal transmitted from the receiver when theidentification number in the registrant information table coincides withthe received reception-limiting identification number and/or the jointmanagement identification number; and payment transaction means forperforming a payment transaction involved in the processing performed bythe processing means.
 19. A joint subscriber management system accordingto claim 18, wherein the receiver comprises:reception-limiting-identification-number transmitting means fortransmitting the reception-limiting identification number of thereceiver to the joint subscriber management unit; reception means forreceiving the registrant information corresponding to thereception-limiting identification number and the joint managementidentification number, the registrant information being transmitted fromthe joint subscriber management unit; and storage means for storing thereceived registrant information.
 20. (canceled)
 21. A joint subscribermanagement system according to claim 18, wherein the joint subscribermanagement unit further comprises a program for causing the jointsubscriber management unit to function as: means for receiving theregistrant information including a plurality of registration itemstransmitted from the receiver; registration means for registering thereceived registrant information; and registration-item transmittingmeans for selecting a necessary registration item from the registrantinformation in accordance with a signal transmitted from each of thebroadcasters and for transmitting the selected registration item to thebroadcaster.
 22. (canceled)
 23. A joint subscriber management systemaccording to claim 18, wherein the broadcaster identification numbercomprises a number of a broadcaster for delivering an interactivebroadcast.
 24. A joint subscriber management system according to claim23, wherein the interactive broadcast comprises a digital broadcastdelivered by using at least one of a satellite, terrestrial waves, awired network, and a wireless network.
 25. A joint subscriber managementsystem according to claim 18, wherein the broadcaster identificationnumber comprises a number of a service provider for providing amembership service.
 26. A joint subscriber management system accordingto claim 18, wherein the registrant information comprises informationincluding personal information required to perform television commerce,television trading, and television banking.
 27. A joint subscribermanagement system according to claim 18, wherein the joint managementidentification number can be substituted for by the reception-limitingidentification number.
 28. A joint subscriber management systemaccording to claim 18, wherein the electronic commerce transactioncomprises authentication and a payment transaction.
 29. A jointsubscriber management system according to claim 18, wherein themanagement/operation means includes functions for performingauthentication, matching, a payment transaction, alteration of contract,and updating.
 30. A joint subscriber management method comprising:receiving a reception-limiting identification number, subscriptioninformation and registrant information concerning registration from areceiver for receiving a specific broadcast; receiving a broadcasteridentification number of at least one broadcaster of a plurality ofbroadcasters; generating a joint management identification numbercorresponding to the reception-limiting identification number receivedby the reception unit; recording the reception-limiting identificationnumber, the joint management identification number, and the registrantinformation in a registrant information table in correspondence with oneanother; performing member management and the electronic commercetransaction in accordance with the recorded registrant informationtable; and providing the subscription information and registrantinformation to a particular broadcaster to cause the particularbroadcaster to transmit broadcast information directly to the receiver.